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What about us?!: Name, Image, and Likeness and International Student-Athletes

Timothy F. Bryson

Ph.D. Student Affairs Concentration, University of Maryland

Program Director, Student-Athlete Career Development

EDhi 788T: International Education and Cultural Exchange

Dr. Taylor Woodman

May 9, 2021

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Should student-athletes be paid?

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Power Five Conference Revenue (FY19)

$781.5 million

$2.9 billion

Power Five Conferences (SEC, Big 10, ACC, Pac-12, and Big 12; 65 colleges and universities)

Big 10 Conference

(ACC: $455.4 million)

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$42 million

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$0.00

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Senate Bill 206 (September 2019)

The Fair Pay to Play Act

  • Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law -- effective Jan. 1, 2023

Enable college athletes to sign endorsement deals and hire agents while protecting their collegiate eligibility

First state to take action towards student-athlete compensation

"This bill simply and rightfully allows student athletes to benefit from the multi-billion dollar enterprise of which they are the backbone” - Newsom

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Critiques

No uniform policy or legislation -- “Wild Wild West”

Unfair recruiting advantages

College student: athletic, academic, and financial interests

Does not solve the root issue -- college sports system is broken as designed

What about F-1 international students?

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International

Student-Athletes

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Recommendations

Special Student Relief

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Create a new student visa

  • F-1a

Alter LLC regulations

  • Create and earn revenue as F-1 student-athlete

Educate employers

  • Increase sponsorship of CPT and OPT visas (H-1B visas)

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Questions that (still) need answers

Am I speaking and writing to the appropriate audience?

What happens if they pass federal legislation without considering ISAs?

How are athletic departments educating their ISAs about current legislation?

Are there additional recommendations I am not considering? Opportunity to liberate all F-1 students.